Slaidburn and Hodder Valley Flora
The floral diversity in and around Slaidburn is fairly typical of that within the Forest Of Bowland, although the area within the village and its close surroundings can boast six Biological Heritage Sites (locally important sites within Lancashire) and one Site of Special Scientific Interest (a nationally important site). These designations do not mean the sites have public access, but are an indication that the countryside in and around the village is home to a diverse and fascinating range of native flora.
Several blocks of semi-natural woodland around the village support native species of tree such as alder, hazel, rowan, holly, ash and hawthorn. The term ‘semi-natural’ means that these woods have (as far as can be ascertained) occurred in the landscape naturally, as opposed to deliberately planted woodlands (plantations) These semi-natural woodlands are important habitats because the native species they contain will, in turn, provide some very specialist or ‘niche’ habitats for a whole range of fungi, insects and mites and subsequently, the birds and small mammals that prey on them.
The ground flora in these semi-natural, broadleaved woods is able to survive because of the open nature of the canopy, which allows light to penetrate to the ground. Bluebells are the characteristic plant associated with our native woodlands, but in the early spring, the wood anemone is another very pretty flower well worth looking out for in addition to ramsons, with its distinctive smell of garlic.
Much of the grassland around the village has been improved by agriculture, meaning that those grasses best able to make use of fertilisers and thrive to produce a lush, palatable sward have become dominant, leaving less nutritious and vigorous species unable to compete. However, there are both locally and nationally important grassland sites in Slaidburn. These pockets of diversity occur when land has been managed in a very traditional way; cutting late for hay and applying little or no fertiliser, or just having never been practical to farm intensively, for example, due to the gradient or the lack of drainage.
Many of the plants found in these species-rich grasslands have interesting names and equally interesting histories. At one time, our native flora was valued for its practical uses. Today, species-rich grasslands are valued because they provide an outstanding habitat for invertebrates and make a contribution to the natural beauty of the landscape but even now, research is ongoing into the properties of some of the wild flowers one is likely to encounter around Slaidburn.
A clue is in the names of some of these plants. Eyebright, ladies mantle, self-heal and ladies bedstraw are all found locally. A herbalist in the Nineteenth Century noted that ‘this plant has always been famous for dimness of sight’ and today, research into the properties of this little flower still goes on. Eyedrops made from eyebright have been used for more than 70 years, especially in inflammatory and catarrhal conjunctivitis and research still goes on. As recently as 1988 eyebright has been used in the treatment of eczema, arthritis, IBS, hay fever and allergic rhinitis and Stills disease- all with positive results.
Self-heal was once valued as a cure for sore throats: ‘the dried herb made into an infusion and sweatened (sic) with honey is good against sore throat and ulcers of the mouth’. Ladies bedstraw was so-called because it was thought to be a suitably soft and fragrant plant for a lady when mattresses were filled with straw.
Useful links:
www.lancashire.gov.uk/environment/ecology/bhs.asp
www.lbap.org.uk
For more information of the Wildlife of the Forest of Bowland visit
www.forestofbowland.com
Bowland Wildlife - www.bowlandwildlife.org.uk
Lancashire Wildlife - www.lancashirewildlife.org.uk
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Some of the 130 species of flower and plant to be found in Dalehead Churchyard, a Biological Heritage Site well worth a visit at any time but more particularly late May or early June.
Photograph by kind permission of Mr Eddie Runswick
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